Hospice Prognosis Guidelines

The Benefit of Early Hospice Referral

Hospice has been traditionally for patients who are in the last six months of life, but some patients stay on for years if their disease process is slow.

In a 2010 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer patients receiving early palliative care lived 2.78 months longer than those who delayed treatment. The authors concluded that:

“Early palliative care led to significant improvements in both quality of life and mood… (the patients) had less aggressive care at the end-of-life but longer survival.”

Physician Wishes are shared by patients

The 10-year Johns Hopkins Precursors Study found that doctors overwhelmingly do not want invasive measures taken for their own end-of-life care. For example:

90% do not want CPR

86% do not want artificial ventilation

82% want pain management

79% do not want invasive treatment

Physicians should focus on how patients want to spend the final months of their lives, addressing the poor outcomes of resuscitation for terminally ill people.

Good end-of-life support includes an open and honest approach, and patients are looking to their physicians for guidance in making decisions about the care they want.

We understand that initiating the conversation with your patients and families about end-of-life options for care and support can be difficult. The conversation is best done before a patient declines or is admitted repeatedly to the hospital. If you ever need assistance with the conversation, to determine eligibility, explain hospice services, or offer counseling and support to both patients and families, please call us at 808-791-8000. We’re here to help.